Summary
A historic market town, Ludlow is topped by a Medieval castle that once served as the residence for Tudor monarchs.
The town is situated on elevated terrain on the east bank of the River Teme and hosts one of the most beautiful parish churches in England, alongside its castle.
During Medieval times, Ludlow occupied a strategic position on the Welsh Marches, where much of this border area was governed by the Mortimers, prominent figures in England at that time.
In the surrounding countryside, visitors can trace their legacy along the Mortimer Trail and discover their former hunting grounds.
Ludlow itself is remarkably picturesque, featuring over 500 listed buildings, with many showcasing Tudor and Georgian architectural styles, alongside local shops such as bakeries, bookstores, and tearooms.
Let’s delve into the best things to do in Ludlow:
1. Ludlow Castle
Perched on a promontory overlooking the River Teme, Ludlow Castle was established by the Normans, reaching the peak of its prominence in the 14th and 15th centuries under the Mortimers.
These “Marcher Lords” wielded considerable wealth and controlled a significant portion of the Welsh borders.
Following the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century, Ludlow Castle transitioned into a royal estate, with Prince Arthur passing away here in 1502, and Mary Tudor later residing here for three winters.
The castle was abandoned by the late 17th century, gradually succumbing to ruins.
A diverse array of architecture remains, spanning Norman, Medieval, and Tudor styles.
To access the substantial remnants of the keep and great hall, visitors must cross a moat after proceeding through the outer bailey.
During the summer season, as part of Ludlow’s Arts Festival, open-air performances of John Milton’s Comus are conducted, which premiered in the great hall at Ludlow Castle in 1634.
2. St Laurence’s Church
As Ludlow’s wool trade flourished in the 15th century, the parish church underwent significant renovations.
Primarily constructed in the Perpendicular Gothic style, St Laurence’s is Shropshire’s largest parish church, adorned with decorations and fittings that exhibit a quality typically associated with cathedrals.
This is particularly evident in the 28 15th-century misericords within the choir, intricately carved from oak and portraying various figures such as a Green Man, a mermaid, and an ale-wife being taken to hell by demons.
Some misericords feature royal symbols, such as a gorged and chained antelope, identified as the emblem of Henry VI from that period.
Within the chancel, one can find elaborate memorials dedicated to members of the Council of the Marches (1400s-1600s). Be sure to examine the east window and another window depicting the Ten Commandments, with six of them illustrated as being violated!
3. Castle Square
The oldest and highest area of Ludlow, Castle Square serves as the site for the town’s market, which will be detailed further below.
Even when the market is not in session, Castle Square represents Ludlow’s commercial heart, featuring a limited number of chain stores alongside numerous local establishments such as an antique bookseller, a bakery, and a design shop, interspersed among a few pubs and eateries.
On the western side, you will find the Assembly Rooms, which date back to 1840 and currently function as an arts and community center.
Also on the western terminus stands a striking Georgian townhouse, constructed in 1770 and utilized by Ludlow Girls’ High School since 1910.
4. Castle Lodge
A notable edifice not previously mentioned in Castle Square is the magnificent Castle Lodge, which dates back to the early 13th century.
The house underwent remodeling toward the end of the 16th century, when the distinctive timber framing adorning the upper level was completed.
Historically, Catherine of Aragon resided at Castle Lodge (along with the castle itself) during her marriage to Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s older brother. At the time this article was composed in 2018, the house remained privately owned.
Castle Lodge resembles a miniature Hampton Court Palace, acting as a time capsule of Tudor-era interior design.
For a nominal fee (£3), visitors can tour the stunning wood paneling, plasterwork, Tudor fireplaces, stained glass windows, and ascend the creaky wooden staircases.
5. Stokesay Castle
Situated a short drive from Ludlow in the Shropshire Hills, Stokesay Castle is one of the best-preserved Medieval fortified manor houses in the UK.
This elegant residence was commissioned in the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who was among the wealthiest individuals in England at that time.
Stokesay Castle has maintained its structure remarkably well, having only sustained partial damage during the Civil War when most English castles were demolished, allowing the resident Baldwyn family to continue residing there.
The castle is preserved by English Heritage and boasts a stunning Great Hall, showcasing captivating views of the Shropshire countryside through its gable windows.
In the Solar (private living quarters), you will find exquisite 17th-century carved paneling above the fireplace, while the gatehouse from that same era features intricate carvings of a dragon, Adam and Eve, and an angel.
The North Tower is also noteworthy for its Medieval tiled floor and remnants of a fresco.
6. Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Open during the spring and summer months, this living museum provides insight into agricultural life in Shropshire at the dawn of the 19th century.
During that period, sturdy shire horses were utilized for heavy-lifting tasks, in lieu of modern tractors.
This operating farm offers a variety of seasonal activities based on the time of year.
Visiting in spring is especially delightful, as guests can feed lambs, hold newly hatched chicks, and collect eggs.
Throughout the year, demonstrations of traditional skills are presented, including ploughing, sowing, harvesting, butter churning, milking, brick-making, forging, and wheel-making, some of which visitors can actively participate in.
Children particularly enjoy the farm’s cows, sheep, poultry, donkeys, and pygmy goats.
7. Ludlow Museum
At the summit of Broad Street stands the Buttercross, constructed in the 1740s at the highest elevation of the Medieval town, where the High Cross once stood.
This elegant Palladian structure previously housed the town council and is currently home to the Ludlow Museum, exploring the archaeology and natural history of the Ludlow and Bromfield areas.
Be sure to view the Bitterley Hoard, a collection of silver coins from the Civil War period, minted between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Additionally, you will encounter Bronze Age urns and axes, a decorative Anglo-Saxon sword pommel, a ring, and various fossils uncovered in the local limestone.
8. Broad Street
Stretching from north to south through the center of Ludlow, Broad Street descends towards Broad Gate on the town’s wall.
Noted by 20th-century architecture historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as “one of the most memorable streets in England,” Broad Street offers a striking view of Broad Gate against the wooded hillside across the Teme.
That gatehouse is an impressive private residence that combines 13th-century defenses with Romantic 19th-century enhancements.
Along Broad Street, historic properties serve either as private residences or independent shops. Many facades exhibit half-timbered designs, especially the stunning row located near the top of the hill, which extends over the pavement.
9. Mortimer Forest
Located southwest of Ludlow, a substantial area of ancient woodland spans the Shropshire and Herefordshire border and is managed by the Forestry Commission.
In Medieval times, this forest served as a hunting ground owned by the Mortimers, the former residents of Ludlow Castle.
The Forestry Commission has installed picnic tables and designed signposted walking trails for visitors.
For the more physically inclined, the Vinnalls Loop offers a challenge by ascending High Vinnalls, one of the tallest hills surrounding Ludlow, with an elevation of 248 meters.
Mortimer Forest features intriguing geology, presenting limestone formations dating back 400 million years.
Visitors might discover fossils of trilobites or coral dating from the Silurian Period, when this region was submerged underwater.
10. Mortimer Trail
For those seeking adventure, the Mortimer Trail offers a 30-mile footpath traversing the Welsh Marches.
The route crosses the Arrow, Lugg, and Teme valleys, providing challenging climbs while guiding you over various limestone ridges and hills.
Overall, you will pass through gently rolling pastures and dense forests, all while immersing yourself in the region’s historical significance.
Croft Ambrey is home to an Iron Age hill fort, while nearby, you can visit the esteemed National Trust property at Croft Castle.
As you approach the village of Aymestrey, you will access Puckhouse Wood, a location historically believed to be the home of mythical wood sprites known as pucks.
11. Ludlow Market
Castle Square provides a historically fitting backdrop for the town’s market, which has operated on this site since the 1100s.
The acclaimed Ludlow Market is managed by the town council and takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the year.
What may immediately capture your attention is the superior quality of the goods offered at these stalls, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade pies, locally produced wines from the Clee Hills, fashion, furniture, textiles, wool, books, and jewelry.
Additionally, a farmers’ market is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, while a “Made in Shropshire” craft market is typically featured on the first Saturday of the month.
12. Ludlow Millennium Green
Ludlow Castle is fortified by a deep gorge on the River Teme, enhancing the town’s aesthetic appeal but creating challenges for access to the river.
Ludlow Millennium Green is one of the few open spaces on the town side of the river, situated just beneath the castle ruins.
This lawn area is popular for picnics, allowing visitors to enjoy the splendid views across to the historic Dinham Bridge and the elevated western riverbank.
On warmer days, guests can even enjoy a swim in the river.
The Mill on the Green occupies the site of a Medieval corn mill, which later became the Ludlow Electric Light Company in the early 1900s.
After its closure, the mill was converted into a cafe, with its hydroelectric waterwheel continuing to generate most of the energy required for the establishment.
13. Whitcliffe Common
The steep, wooded hillsides on the west bank of the Teme are preserved as a nature reserve and offer stunning views of the castle framed by the Clee Hills.
This 53-acre common is crisscrossed with walking paths and stone steps, providing benches for visitors to rest and admire the picturesque surroundings.
Adjacent to the water, the Bread Walk was established in 1850, leading you past ferns, rugged cliffs, and a waterfall.
This path is called the “Bread Walk” due to the historical practice of compensating workers along the route with bread to deter them from spending their earnings in taverns on their way home.
14. Clee Hills
Northeast of Ludlow lie the imposing silhouettes of Shropshire’s tallest hills.
The nearest of the Clee Hills to Ludlow is Titterstone Clee Hill (533 m), located five miles from Brown Clee Hill (540 m), which is the highest in the county.
Both hills have been mined for coal for centuries, while remnants of dolerite quarries scar the landscape on Brown Clee Hill.
The hills feature heather moorland and wildflower meadows, and in certain areas, even cultivated vines.
These industrial remains lend an air of intrigue to the terrain, complementing the breathtaking vistas.
From the west, visitors can see as far as the Snowdonia range in Wales, while on clear days Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, 30 miles to the northeast, can also be detected.
15. Medieval Christmas Fayre
At the end of November, Ludlow Castle provides a fitting venue for a two-day fair themed around the Medieval period.
Set against the backdrop of the 13th-century keep, the Castle Garden Stage features choreographed knightly battles and storytelling, while the Market Place Stage showcases comedy, pantomime, and Medieval-styled musical performances.
Entertainment includes jesters and jugglers, with over 100 stalls presenting a diverse array of handmade seasonal gifts, food, and beverages.
Participants are encouraged to engage in workshops for activities such as juggling, sword fighting, and archery.
